Decision No. 129/2005/QĐ-BNV Regarding the Approval of the Charter (Amended) of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association

DECISION OF THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS

Regarding the approval of the Charter (amended) of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association

THE MINISTER OF THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

Pursuant to Decree No. 102/SL-L004 dated May 20, 1957 promulgating the law on the right to establish associations;

Pursuant to Decree No. 45/2003/NĐ-CP dated May 9, 2003 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs;

Pursuant to Decree No. 88/2003/NĐ-CP dated July 30, 2003 of the Government stipulating the organization, operation, and management of associations;

Considering the proposal of the Chairman of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association and the Director of the Department of Non-Governmental Organizations,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approves the amended Charter of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association which was adopted at the Third General Assembly on September 25, 2005.

Article 2. The Standard Measurement Quality Control Department shall be responsible for organizing and guiding the implementation of the Regulations adopted herein.

Article 3. The Chairman of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association and the Director of the Department of Non-Governmental Organizations shall be responsible for implementing this Decision.

CHARTER

VIETNAM WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE ASSOCIATION

(Issued pursuant to Decision No. 129/2005/QĐ-BNV

dated December 6, 2005 of the Minister of Home Affairs)

PART I

NAME OF THE ASSOCIATION - OBJECTIVE - TASKS

Article 1. Name

Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association.

International name: Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association

Abbreviation in English: VWSA.

Article 2. Objective of the Association

To gather and unite all organizations, enterprises, officials, workers, managers, scientists engaged in water supply and sewerage or related to the water supply and sewerage specialty, thereby encouraging members to enhance their knowledge and professional skills, exchange information on scientific and technological achievements, economics, management, occupational activities, business cooperation, and cultural and social activities, contributing to sustainable development of the water supply and sewerage industry in Vietnam, promoting research and application of scientific and technological progress, realizing industrialization and modernization of the country, enhancing the efficiency of state management and protecting the legitimate interests of consumers.

Article 3. Purpose and Legal Status of the Association

The Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association is a social-professional organization, voluntarily linking collectives and individuals involved in management, consulting, scientific research, training, construction, operation, production, and business of equipment and materials in the water supply and sewerage specialty and environmental sanitation.

The Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association operates according to its Charter and complies with state laws, under the sponsorship and subject to state management by the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The Association has legal personality, its own seal, and a bank account, with its main office located in Hanoi.

The Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association is permitted to join international and regional associations on water supply and sewerage and environmental sanitation in accordance with the law.

Article 4. Tasks of the Association

1. Mobilize the enthusiasm and creativity of members to implement the policies of the Party and State towards researching, summarizing, disseminating, and applying new achievements in science and technology, economics, and management to improve labor productivity, quality, and effectiveness in production, business, and management activities within the water supply and sewerage and environmental sanitation specialties.

2. Organize information dissemination, conferences, seminars on science and technology and management, training sessions, and knowledge dissemination about specialized science and technology, new technologies, and production and business activities among members and the community. Encourage and assist members to improve their professional expertise. Coordinate with domestic and international organizations to train human resources for the water supply and sewerage and environmental sanitation industries, especially in remote areas.

3. Implement research functions, propose mechanisms and policies, provide advisory opinions, and conduct social appraisals upon request from state agencies and production facilities regarding policies and projects for economic and social development within the water supply and sewerage and environmental sanitation specialties. Advise state management agencies, provincial authorities, and the Government on the legitimate aspirations of members and mechanisms and policies for organizing and managing the water supply and sewerage industry in line with market mechanisms. Propose solutions to achieve the goals of industrialization and modernization of urban and rural water supply and sewerage and environmental sanitation industries.

4. Create a scientific-technological-production link between members, water supply and sewerage companies, rural clean water and environmental sanitation centers, research institutions, design and construction firms, manufacturers, and traders of specialized water supply and sewerage and environmental sanitation equipment and materials to benefit each member and facilitate the development of the specialized water equipment manufacturing industry.

5. Foster connections between manufacturers, those active in the water supply and sewerage and environmental sanitation fields, and beneficiaries and customers; raise public awareness about water conservation, protection of water sources, and maintenance of water supply and sewerage infrastructure.

6. Organize economic activities in accordance with the law through the application of scientific and technological advancements, providing opportunities for members to utilize their professional expertise and generate financial resources for the Association's operations.

Sponsor research projects on new technologies and products serving the water supply and sewerage specialty.

7. Expand international cooperation, receive funding from international and domestic organizations through programs and projects to enhance professional capacity in water supply and sewerage and environmental sanitation, continuously creating conditions for members and the water supply and sewerage specialty to develop and gradually integrate with countries in the region and worldwide.

Article 5. Methods of Operation of the Association

1. Organize or coordinate to organize conferences, seminars, specialized reports, roundtable discussions for exchanging professional opinions.

2. Support research projects and experimental scientific and technological works on water supply and sanitation, organize creative contests among members, and apply the results in practical production and daily life. Provide scholarships for excellent students from disadvantaged backgrounds studying in the field of water supply and sanitation.

3. Conduct management, scientific, and technological services according to current laws through the application of technical and technological advancements.

4. Publish a regular water supply journal, scientific and technological materials, and management documents related to the field of water supply and sanitation as stipulated by law.

5. Establish relations with domestic associations and foreign organizations in accordance with the law, creating conditions for members to exchange experiences and participate in integration. Seek international assistance to ensure sustainable development of the Vietnam Water Supply Association.

Chapter II

MEMBERS

Article 6. Members of the Vietnam Water Supply Association

Legal entities of Vietnam (collective members), Vietnamese citizens (individual members) engaged in the water supply and sanitation industry or related to the field of water supply and sanitation who agree to the Charter of the Association and voluntarily submit membership applications can be recognized as members of the Association.

Forms of membership:

- Collective members: enterprises, economic organizations, scientific and technological organizations, training institutions operating in the water supply, drainage, and sanitation industries or related to the field of water supply and sanitation, represented by their directors or authorized representatives.

- Individual members are voluntary individuals with knowledge and experience in the water supply and sanitation industry, capable of participating in Association activities.

- Honorary members are reputable and experienced individuals with significant contributions to the Association.

- Affiliate members are organizations, individuals, research agencies specializing in water supply, and other economic organizations.

Article 7. Responsibilities of Members

1. Strictly implement all Party guidelines, policies, and state laws.

2. Actively engage in labor production and work, enhancing understanding and applying scientific and technological advancements in the water supply and sanitation sector.

3. Regularly participate in Association and branch activities, helping each other to fulfill member responsibilities, and building a stronger Association organization.

4. Strictly comply with the Charter, resolutions of the Central Executive Board of the Association and branches, promoting new member recruitment, fostering unity, and striving for the sustainable development of the Vietnam Water Supply Association.

5. Pay membership fees fully. Members who fail to pay membership fees for two consecutive years, despite two reminders from the Association, will automatically be removed from the membership list.

Article 8. Rights of Members

- Participate in Association activities, disseminate production experience, vocational training, professional skills, and scientific and technological knowledge, enhance management capabilities through information provision, document distribution, seminar attendance, training sessions, technology demonstrations, technology transfer, domestic and international site visits.

- The Association protects their legitimate rights in production and product consumption organizations; assists and supports them in research, testing, and invention initiatives in the water supply and sanitation sector.

- Discuss, vote, question, and criticize all Association matters; nominate and be nominated for positions in the Association's Executive Board and branches. Affiliate members and honorary members do not have voting rights or nomination rights for Association leadership positions.

- Collective and individual members are issued membership cards of the Vietnam Water Supply Association.

- Have the right to leave the Association based on personal wishes and may join other Associations not prohibited by law.

Chapter III

ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

Article 9. Principles of Operation of the Association

The Association operates on the principle of democratic centralism, adhering to state laws, collective leadership, individual responsibility, and majority decision-making.

The organizational structure of the Association includes:

At the Central level, there is the Vietnam Water Supply and Drainage Association.

At the grassroots level, there are Branches for water supply and drainage-sanitation.

If a grassroots unit has seven or more collective members, or twenty-five or more individual members, it may establish a Branch.

Article 10. General Assembly of All Members or National Representative Congress of the Vietnam Water Supply and Drainage Association (hereinafter referred to as the Congress)

The General Assembly of All Members or the National Representative Congress is the highest leading body of the Association. It convenes every five years. An extraordinary Congress can be convened if more than fifty percent of the Central Executive Committee members request it.

- The principle of electing representatives to attend the National Congress is decided by the Central Executive Committee.

Article 11. Duties of the Congress

- Discuss the report summarizing the term's activities and the direction for the next term's activities of the Association

- Decide on the direction, tasks, goals, and measures of the Association's work to continuously enhance the effectiveness of its operations.

- Discuss and approve the report on the results of the Association's activities reviewed by the Central Inspection Board presented to the Congress.

- Discuss proposals to amend and supplement the Charter of the Association

- Approve the financial settlement and budget of the Association; those of the Association's grassroots units (if any).

- Elect the Central Executive Committee. The form of election is decided by the Congress.

Article 12. Powers and Duties of the Central Executive Committee of the Association

1. Powers:

The Central Executive Committee is the leading body of the Association between two Congresses. The number of Central Executive Committee members is determined by the Congress. In case of vacancies, the Central Executive Committee may elect supplementary members, but not exceeding one-fifth of the number of members elected by the Congress.

- Elect and dismiss the Association's leadership positions including President, Vice Presidents, Secretary-General, and Standing Committee members; elect supplementary Central Executive Committee members.

- Examine and decide disciplinary actions against Central Executive Committee members.

- The Central Executive Committee meets once a year, with extraordinary meetings convened at the Standing Committee's discretion.

2. Tasks:

- Decide on measures to implement resolutions and programs of activities during the Congress's term.

- Decide on annual work programs and plans and report the results of the Central Executive Committee's activities to Branches and members.

- Central Executive Committee members who are directors of collective member units must resign from their positions when they retire from work but must introduce new directors to join the Central Executive Committee, which will then elect supplementary members.

- Prepare the agenda and materials for the Congress at the end of the term.

- Decide to convene a regular Congress or an extraordinary Congress.

Article 13. Central Standing Committee of the Association

1. The Central Standing Committee consists of: President, Vice Presidents, Secretary-General, and some members. The number of Standing Committee members is determined by the Central Executive Committee. The Standing Committee convenes regularly every six months.

2. The duties of the Central Standing Committee include:

- Represent the Executive Committee to direct and manage the Association's activities between two meetings.

- Report on the performance of the Executive Committee during each meeting.

- Decide on the establishment of Committees and subordinate organizations under the Association.

- Decide on organizing domestic and international scientific conferences.

- Decide on work plans and activity programs of Committees and subordinate organizations under the Central level.

- Decide on joining international and regional organizations according to legal provisions.

- The Central Standing Committee represents the Executive Committee to manage the Association's activities between two meetings and must report on the organization's activities to the Executive Committee.

- Depending on specific circumstances, the Central Standing Committee may appoint a Central Permanent Secretariat to assist the Standing Committee. The Central Permanent Secretariat is responsible to the Standing Committee for assigned tasks.

3. The Central Permanent Secretariat consists of: President, Permanent Vice President, Secretary-General, and some Standing Committee members appointed by the Standing Committee. The Permanent Secretariat is authorized by the Standing Committee to manage activities between two meetings of the Standing Committee and has the following responsibilities and powers:

- Decide on key personnel of grassroots Branches and subordinate organizations under the Central level.

- Decide on sending Association staff to attend domestic and international conferences and foreign missions related to the water supply and sanitation sector according to state regulations.

- Decide on issues of commendation, rewards, and disciplinary actions within the Association's authority.

- Decide on admitting new members.

- The Central Permanent Secretariat holds weekly meetings to guide the Association's activities.

Article 14. The Central Inspection Board of the Association

- The Central Inspection Board of the Association is elected by the Central Executive Board of the Association, consisting of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and members of the Central Inspection Board of the Association.

- The Inspection Board has the duty to assist the Central Executive Board of the Association in inspecting the implementation of the Charter of the Association, the resolutions of the Congress and the Central Executive Board, as well as the policies of the Central Standing Board of the Association.

- Inspect the financial income and expenditure of the Association and its affiliated organizations (if any); report the results of inspections at the annual meetings of the Central Executive Board of the Association.

- The term of office of the Inspection Board is five years, corresponding to the term of the Central Executive Board.

Article 15. President, Vice-Presidents, General Secretary

1. The President of the Association has powers and duties:

- To represent the legal entity of the Association before the law.

- To organize and implement the resolutions of the Congress, the Representative Conference, and the decisions of the Central Executive Board and the Central Standing Board of the Association.

- To convene and chair meetings of the Central Executive Board of the Association.

- To appoint personnel for the Central Office of the Association and other organizations established by the Association.

- To be responsible to the Central Executive Board and all members of the Association for the activities of the Association.

2. The Vice-Presidents assist the President, assigned specific tasks by the President, and authorized to manage the work of the Central Executive Board when the President is absent.

3. The General Secretary is in charge of the Central Office of the Association, prepares the agenda for meetings of the Central Executive Board and the Central Standing Board, regularly reports to the Central Executive Board and the Central Standing Board on the activities of the Association, drafts annual reports and term reports of the Central Executive Board of the Association, after consensus with the Central Standing Board.

Article 16. Central Office of the Association, Departments, and Affiliated Organizations under the Central Level

- The Central Office of the Association, Departments, and Affiliated Organizations under the Central Level are decided by the Central Standing Board of the Association.

- Departments have the duty to propose and advise the Central Executive Board and the Central Standing Board of the Association on various aspects of activities within their respective fields of responsibility. Departments meet once every six months.

- The Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association may establish organizations operating in research, training, scientific and technical services, and business production sectors (Centers, Companies...) when necessary, according to legal regulations; these organizations under the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association operate under current laws, comply with the regulations of the Association in each field, fulfill tax obligations to the State, and contribute to the Association's fund.

- The Central Office of the Association is organized and operates according to the regulations stipulated by the Central Standing Board; it is responsible for managing the assets and finances of the Association and coordinating the activities of the Association, Departments, and other organizations of the Association, under the direction of the Central Standing Board.

Article 17. Organizational Units of the Association are Branches

- Branches are members of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association. Branches mainly operate in specialized areas of water supply, drainage, and environmental sanitation within their territorial regions.

- The financial resources of Branches come from voluntary contributions of members and sponsorships from domestic and foreign organizations for seminars and specialized training sessions organized by Branches, ensuring sufficient coverage of operational costs.

- Newly established Branches must hold a Congress, elect a Branch Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson. The term of office of a Branch is two and a half years (five years for two terms).

Chapter IV

FINANCE AND ASSETS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 18. The Association has its own assets and finances

Sources of income include:

- Membership fees contributed once a year by members according to the type of business, revenue, scale of operation... The level of membership fees for collective members and individual members shall be stipulated by the Central Executive Board at the first session following the Congress.

- Sponsorship funds from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals.

- Results from scientific and technological activities, production and business operations, services in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Expenditure sources include:

- Expenses for the Association's activities

- Payment of membership fees to organizations where the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association is a member.

- Construction of technical infrastructure and office management costs.

- Awards and other expenses.

The Association's assets and finances are managed and utilized in accordance with the Regulations stipulated by the Standing Committee, in compliance with current state regulations.

Chapter V

AWARDS - DISCIPLINE

Article 19. Forms of awards

Collective members and individual members who achieve outstanding results in association work, have scientific research projects, economic management initiatives, innovations, and achievements in training, teaching, and dissemination related to their field shall be awarded by the Association or recommended for state awards.

Article 20. Forms of discipline

Collective members and individual members who engage in activities contrary to the Charter of the Association, damaging the reputation and credibility of the Association, shall be subject to disciplinary action, the form of which shall be decided by the Standing Committee upon examination.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 21. Effective Date

This Charter consists of 6 Chapters and 21 Articles, adopted by the Third National Congress of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association held in Hue City on September 25, 2005, and came into effect pursuant to the approval decision of the Minister of Home Affairs.

Only the National Congress of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association has the right to amend the Charter of the Association.

The Central Executive Board of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Term III, is responsible for promulgating, guiding, and implementing this Charter./.